Breaking Bread
- As a bonus to Season 1 of Breaking Bread we have Councilman Steve Hemenway stop by the table and talk about the homeless issue in Riverside County along with funding and programming that’s needed. He shares why he got into politics and how the counsel is changing demographically for the better.
- Mannie stops by the table to share a meal with Dee Marie and discuss how he wanted to change how people saw him, that you can’t change others but you can see how you played a part in any situation and change yourself, how through education he found his purpose, and what he is doing to give back to society.
- Dee Marie shares a meal with Riverside Chief of Police Larry Gonzalez as he shares how to bridge the gap of mistrust in communities of color, training of officers, the differences in policing in this era of social justice, what makes him different as a chief, and much more.
- Marriage and Family Therapist Melissa Williams who specializes in Mental Health and Trauma sits down with Dee Marie to share her story on a father in prison, insights to family dynamics, breaking walls on seeking professional help and tips to help your own Mental Health.
- Special guest Johnny Howe shares his story using several analogies, making his story relatable. He talks about who controls the prison environment, who was holding him back from change and how when he started making that change he found a passion to help people, especially those who are given up on. He is currently a Drug and Alcohol Counselor and gives advice on how to deal with addicts.
- Host DeeMarie interviews Eric Willis, a man given the sentence of 16 to life, who served almost 25 years in prison for murder and attempted murder. He shares his story of gang life and why it took so long to change his mentality to losing his father in prison to then getting out and having a following on YouTube with his prison stories and music.
- In this episode you hear from Vonnie, a child of parents that have been incarcerated, one her whole life, and how that affected her growing up. She shares her story and many struggles that developed from having absent parents. This episode reminds us just how much family members, especially children, are affected by the absence of those incarcerated and the decisions made.
- In this episode, host Dee Marie interviews Hugo Gonzalez, a former gang member sentenced to life in prison. Hugo shares his story and how he changed his life around – even gaining a commutation of his sentence by the Governor of California – and is now working on certification to be a expert witness, specializing in gangs, in the courts.
- Krystal is a community member of Riverside that stops by the studio to talk with DeeMarie about her organization Melanin Youth Foundation and all the programs it is doing for the youth in Riverside County with the hope and drive to spread to other counties. She talks about why she got into this work and why she took initiative to fill in the gap, why volunteering is important, what our youth struggle with most, and her backpack giveaway happening in July. to check out more of her organization, sign up for the programs, volunteer or donate
- In this episode, host Dee Marie shares Enchiladas with LJ, Owner and Creator of Broken BeYouTiful – a black-owned small business that seeks to infuse positivity into fashion. LJ shares a little of her journey with us – ministering and teaching in the prison system to men and women who aren’t so different from those of us on the outside.
- In this, our inaugural episode, host Dee Marie interviews a formerly incarcerated man facing a 3-strike life sentence. Hear some of his story to get a better understanding of the American justice system and how it affects not only the accused, but their families and loved ones as well.
- In our season 2 finale, DeeMarie sits down with Leonard Kemp Jr. to talk about what it was like being tried as an adult while still a juvenile and how the DA did not want to work with him, how he got 32 years to life on enhancements, why he did what he did, what it was like to live with a mom on drugs and not feeling like he belonged, getting into prison gangs to survive even though he was not affiliated on the streets, what he had to do in prison, some crazy things COs did, how he switched from gang mentality to education and changed his life around, and how Locked In was instrumental in getting him released from prison, to so much more. What a way to end a great season 2!
- Porshe Taylor makes time to speak with DeeMarie about how she started From the Inside Out (FTIO), how she got her curriculum inside the prisons, how she met Eric (a man inside) and started working with him on curriculum development, what it is like to be with a man inside and advice for women who are going through it, legislature they are working on and so much more.
- Returning from season 1, Graham shares with DeeMarie about rehabilitation, what that looks like in prison, and who actually is in charge of rehabilitation. He shares his views and ideas on the abolishment of prisons and police and how he sees this being possible. He also shares on what his organization, Initiate Justice, is doing on passing laws and legislature to help reform some of the most traumatizing aspects of prison.
- Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco stops by to chat with DeeMarie about what made him go into the field and how an encounter with a cop when he was young changed his life. He goes into the stats on women officers using de-escalation more than their male counterparts and how he believes we need to arrest more to help with the drug epidemic and so much more.
- In part II Gilbert shares how he began to use his time in prison to educate himself learning that the system isn’t broken but designed this way, how an encounter with another man inside got him to start mentoring youth and that he had to turn into a man of action and not just words, he tells of how changes in law gave him the chance to be able to go to board for release, and talks about what he is doing now and why he chose to go back into prison to help men inside. Gilbert shares his heart regarding the men inside that he learned from and are doing just as much as he is and how they are not able to get out due to the governor having final say, and how a lot of what he does is for those men inside. You don’t want to miss his story from trauma and brokenness to redemption and living amends.
- Gilbert stops by the studio to talk with DeeMarie about his story. He had so much to share that was so good we had to break it up into two segments. In part I Gilbert talks about how his father was never in the picture, raised in a house where gangs and drugs were the norm, was taken away from his mom at age 8 and taken to the infamous MacLaren Hall, how he got into the gang lifestyle and how he got in deeper and deeper as he went through the system, how police abused him, how a counselor on the inside used him to beat up other people incarcerated, how his life crime was a miscarriage of justice, and so much more.
- Gilbert’s story is heavy, but in part II next week you will see how he used it and through an opportunity from a guy inside and education changed his life completely around and how he is changing lives on the outside. Truly an inspiration of a life changed.
- Gabby stops by the studio to talk about being the first Hispanic woman in office for Riverside, how it has not been easy, why it has taken so long and how it is not something to be proud of. She shares on what the city is doing about the homeless population and how to help students and teachers feel safe going back to school with the rise of gun violence. She also talks about her work in school counseling, what that is, how to help those with mental illness, and when schools need to refer out for help.
- We have well sought after teacher and speaker Kazu Haga talking with DeeMarie about finding his way and purpose, non-violence, the misconceptions about it and the doubts on how it can solve conflict, gun violence in this country, his work in the prison system, and his non-profit East Point Peace Academy.
- Krystal is a community member of Riverside that stops by the studio to talk with DeeMarie about her organization Melanin Youth Foundation and all the programs it is doing for the youth in Riverside County with the hope and drive to spread to other counties. She talks about why she got into this work and why she took initiative to fill in the gap, why volunteering is important, what our youth struggle with most, and her backpack giveaway happening in July. to check out more of her organization, sign up for the programs, volunteer or donate
- Iki Taimi, pastor of La Sierra University church, stops by the studio to share a meal and talk with DeeMarie on being undocumented, the role of church on social justice, LGBTQ+ and their place in the church, diversity in the church and institutional racism, how to make church relevant while still keeping to its values, how church has harmed people and needs to do better, to what he is doing now.
- In one of our throwback episodes, Diane drops by the studio to talk to DeeMarie about how she got into crack cocaine from the age of 19 and for over 25 years was taken by the drug. She talks about how crack lead to homelessness, over 15 rehabs to get off the drug, giving up of one of her children, losing a sister to drugs, and how her addiction lead to prostitution and prison. She talks about how she reclaimed her life and what she is doing now since being off the drug.
- The Superintendent of Alvord School District in Riverside CA stops by to speak with DeeMarie about the learning loss and emotional effects Covid has had on the kids, what schools can learn from Finland, critical race theory, significance of early childhood education, some top issues facing Alvord School District and new initiatives rolling out, how the community can support schools and teachers, and much more.
- Sophie stops by the studio to share a meal and conversation about the lack of resources available for the undocumented, what it’s like living as undocumented, why she turned to the streets, how social services failed her, what women prisons are like, and so much more.
- DeeMarie speaks with Nashawn Stewart who was sentenced as an adult at the age of 14 and was sent to one of the most dangerous level 4 maximum prisons at age 16. He shares his family life and how it lead him to join one of the most dangerous gangs, The Hoover Criminals, his darkest moment while incarcerated, how he went from being illiterate to getting an education, how his mindset changed, and leaving the gang to living a life of amends on the outside.
- DeeMarie sits down with Josh to speak about education in our public school system, why he became an educator, the school to prison pipeline, what schools are doing better to service all children and the work he is currently doing now.
- James stops by the studio to talk with DeeMarie about how he found religion on the inside, How being a Muslim was used against him from the guards, how his date for release was taken away from the governor on terms that were not legal, how being a drug and alcohol counselor is the best thing, and so much more.
- Maria Casillas stops by the studio to share her story of what life was like growing up in America as an immigrant, why she got into the street life, family and domestic abuse, how to break the chains of incarceration cycle, and the work she is doing now with her non profit Pride in Truth.
- On this episode we meet at the table with Tony Huynh to discuss what it was like growing up in America as a first generation Asian American, what it was like being the minority in prison, and what factors lead him to really change his life and much more. Tony is now volunteering with Locked In as a board member and soon to be coach.
- On this episode of Breaking Bread we have an active sitting Superior Court Judge in the Riverside County District, Harold Hopp, meet at the table and talk with DeeMarie about the bias concerning prosecutor and racial targeting, the cash bail system, the racial justice act of 2020, the felony murder rule, and 3 strike reform and much more.
- Ceasar gets real and shares so many stories and truth nuggets with DeeMarie. Some of what he talks about are why he started robbing and how he got 3 strikes for doing nothing, how it was being in San Quentin at the height of Covid, and how he started his non-profit Unite the People from his prison cell. This episode is so good we had to go longer than usual!
Three months fresh out of prison, Chris stops by the studio to share his story with DeeMarie. Chris talks about how things started going down hill when his dad left, getting into drugs at a young age and getting into a Vietnamese gang. He shares how he reacted when his dad came into his life and his passing, how his best friend was murdered, his life crime, and how he changed on the inside to the point of contfronting his best friends killer on the inside and forgiving him. He is a new coach for Locked In CEA Inc. and looks forward to giving back to society in positive ways.
ARC (Anti Recidivism Coalition) is in the building! David Garnica stops by the studio to share a meal with DeeMarie to talk about how he was raised and how his lifestyle lead him to catch a case on a double murder. He shared how a conversation with his mother helped him to turn his life around and how he was able to get out even with a double murder. He shared all the work he does with ARC and how he goes back into the level 4 yards (prefers those yards) to help the men inside to change their lives around. David shares all the wonderful things ARC does for returning citizens and emulates what true change looks like. His message is one of hope and one you don’t want to miss.
Check out ARC: https://antirecidivism.org/
In this part 2 episode Artie shares with DeeMarie all the amazing things he is doing since getting out. He shares how he first got into Hollywood peeling bottle labels and how worked his way up to being a site scout. He shared how knowing his worth and having a work ethic has helped him get back to his dream of when he was a little kid. He shares how he is not only involved in Hollywood, but he is an author, writer on a new show, works with the prosecutor aliance, goes back into prison to help the men inside, and speaks all over for events, podcasts, and is just an advocate for a better justice system. This episode has so many incredible nuggets of wisdom and is a true inspiration of a life changed. You need to watch this episode, follow Artie Gonzalez and support the things he is doing.
In part one of this podcast, Artie Gonzales shares his story of how he was raised by a 16 year old mother, getting into fights in school, and how violence was normalized. He shares about not having any positive roles models growing up other than his grandmother and how she would encourage him and his dreams of being in Hollywood. She nurtured Artie and helped him to believe in himself to where in 6th grade he was doing college work. Artie went into how when he lost her at age 13 from cancer and how his life was over for him. He shared how at 13 he got caught up in the criminal lifestyle and how the gang gave him permission and a means to express himself. By 16 he was heavily into crank and how it took over his life and it lead to his commitment offense that lead him to prison. He was tried as an adult and given a 19 to life sentence. He served a total of 21 years of that sentence with 8 years being in solitary confinement due to how dangerous he was to the general public. Artie goes into so much more that this is a much watch podcast.
Follow Artie on Instagram @theartiegonzales
Go to his website: https://www.artiegonzales.com/
Buy his book: https://www.amazon.com/Artie-Adventure-Isolation-Adventures-Emotions/dp/B0C2S5MY54/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Q3XDLHQWUG1U&keywords=lil%27+artie+and+the+adventure+of+isolation&qid=1693168283&sprefix=lil+artie+%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1
Check out: https://www.manifestworks.org/ https://www.reevolutiongroup.org/ https://www.insideoutwriters.org/ https://prosecutorsalliance.org/
Raymond stops by the studio to share a meal with DeeMarie and tell his story of how the abuses at home and not feeling love in the home lead him down a path of crime and destruction which eventually lead him to prison. He shares about his drug use of meth, alcohol and maraijuana that started at the age of 16 to shooting heroin in prison and how after committing his crime he was on the run in Mexico for 2 years before getting caught. While in Mexico he continued his criminality and even talked himself out of an arrest with a judge. He shared about his time in prison and what turned him around to make the change and kick drugs. Raymond talks about the work he is doing now as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor and bringing hope to people.
In this half we continue the conversation with Dr. Jones on adverse childhood experiences and the strategies education is using to help those children suffering from ACEs. He discusses the top 4 issues in education today as well as the pressures that he has faced to work harder because he is a black man. He shares his responsibility to those that paved the way as well as how he is responsible to those that come behind him. Dr. Jones shares what he loves about this generation coming up and how they are active in social justice and fighting for right and how he gets to be a part of their path and journey. He shared a story of students doing a walk out to protest school shootings while he was principal, and how he was a part of the students’ activism but doing it safely and responsibly and creating a safe space within education. Dr. Jones shared what he in doing now in the county of Riverside in student services doing restorative practices and what the new AB2598 bill is and what that focuses on.
Dr. Jason Jones, Director of student services and Leadership in Riverside Office of Education stops by the studio to talk about what got him into the work he is doing now for the County. He shares in this part I episode about how he wanted to be of help to others, how education is the great equalizer. He spoke on how he first started out in gang outreach and connect them to drug counseling and school to come back into the community better. From that job he went into teaching and realized how much his outreach was needed in the classroom which transitioned into counseling. He shared how teaching is more than just content and dug into all the different complexities in the system that leave students behind especially students of color to the training of teachers in equity, restorative practices and social/emotional intelligence. He shared his story on he was surrounded around gangs growing up and that gang culture was idolized but a teacher helped him along the path to applying himself along with praying parents. He shared turning points that helped to divert him from the gang life.
Tara zooms in with DeeMarie to talk about transformational coaching and well being. She shares what that is, gives examples of breathing exercises, shares her work with The Compassion Prison project and doing healing circles on the inside with the men. Tara shares what she did before finding her true calling with transformational coaching and how doing this work on the inside is some of the most meaningful work she has done.
To see more about Tara’s work go to: https://www.tara2point0.com/
To see more about the Compassion Prison Progect go to: https://compassionprisonproject.org/
Founder of Jesses’s Place, Jesse Suarez, stops by the studio just weeks after getting released from prison to talk with DeeMarie about the abuses he faced when he was a child and how that lead him to the streets. He shares how the police beat him so bad he was left with fractures in his face, how he was released from prison, but was still so caught up inthe gang culture that it lead him back to prison for his life crime. Jesse shares how in the hospital he found the Lord and completely changed his life around. He shares about how his organization Jesse’s Place started and talks about all the amazing things his new organization is doing.
Visit Jesse’s Place: https://www.jessesplace.org/
Remy stops by the studio to share with DeeMarie his story of how his lack of identity and self esteem lead him towards gang life. He shares how he was sentenced to life without the possability of parole in his early 20’s, to losing someone close to him while he was incarcerated, to how he lost hope and tried to commit suicide several times and it failed. Finally realizing he needed to change to how he was able to get out and spread a message of hope now in the streets. He has a powerful testimony and story you don’t want to miss.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide there is help. Please contact The Suicide Prevention Hotline at: (800) 273-8255 or just dial 988 to be directed to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
We start season 3 of Breaking Bread with a new logo created by a man inside and new background. Our first episode of the season starts with the recently released Co-Founder, Director of Programs and Lead Trainer for Locked In CEA Inc., Van Houston.
Van shares his story of how he learned abuse by watching his mother’s boyfriend, how he was reading at a 7th grade level, used manipulation to get his way, to how he got incarcerated and was okay with staying in prison and putting his city/gang on the map, to how older guys inside took him under their wing, to how his mom flat lining was a key moment that lead him to truly start changing his life, to how he started Locked In, what life is like outside after serving 27 years and to healing relationships with his kids and so much more.
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